Question

Which of the following is the politest way to interrupt someone who has been speaking for a while?
Choose the best response:
A) Could I just say that …
B) Wait a minute!
C) Hang in there.
D) What I am trying to say is…..

Answer 1

Hint: To interrupt someone who has been speaking for a while means to ask them to pause in order to take a chance to say something or to let others take a chance to speak. While communicating it is essential to understand what choice of words can be ‘impolite’ and what choice of words can be ‘polite’. ‘Polite’ choice of words results in healthy conversations.

Complete answer:
Let us first understand some points:
- Could is a modal verb. This modal verb is used to make a polite request. Its use is similar to the use of ‘may’. It is used with a subject to ask for permission. The difference between the use of ‘may’ and ‘could’ is that it may generally take the subject as ‘I’.
- ‘Wait!’ implies stopping someone where they are or whatever they are doing.
- Hang in there! Implies to persist even when it is not allowed.
- ‘What I am trying to say is….’ is an interruption between an ongoing conversation that is not appropriate.
- Excuse me, may I, can I and sorry are some generally used words when we interrupt someone who has been speaking for a while.

Option A, Could I just say that…, is the correct answer. It is the correct answer because ‘could’ is used to make polite requests and therefore, using it will be the politest way to interrupt someone who has been speaking for a while.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘A’.

Note: Use of polite words is a respectful way of communicating. Formal communication always uses polite words. We use titles before names, interrogative statements, unclear language, please, sorry, thank you etc. are some common polite manners used informal language.